The White Sox manager said Tuesday he thinks Samardzija, who is 0-3 with a 12.91 ERA in his past three starts, is due for a turnaround. Acquired in December from Oakland for four players, Samardzija is set to pitch Wednesday’s game for the White Sox against Jered Weaver and the Los Angeles Angels.

“There’s bumps in the road,” Ventura said. “I have the confidence in him.

“I don’t see it as a physical thing as far as him being hurt. There’s nothing in there that you would think there’s a reason that’s holding him back. For him, the best thing is he still has confidence of going out there that he’s going to give you a good game and that’s what you’re counting on.”

Samardzija was fantastic in July, going 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in five starts leading up to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. Until the White Sox made a late run, it was expected Samardzija would be traded to the highest bidder. But a seven-game winning streak wiped out that possibility and the White Sox kept Samardzija, who is headed for free agency this offseason.

SportsTalk Live Podcast: Rick Hahn gives an update on the state of the White Sox rebuild

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SportsTalk Live Podcast: Rick Hahn gives an update on the state of the White Sox rebuild

Latest White Sox Talk

In this episode of the SportsTalk Live Podcast, Danny Parkins (670 The Score), Chris Bleck (ESPN 1000) and Scott King (WGN Radio) join David Kaplan on the panel.

Ryan Pace’s offseason begins. Josh Sitton and Jerrell Freeman are gone, but what will he do with Kyle Fuller?

Plus, Rick Hahn joins Kap from Glendale, Ariz., to discuss the state of the White Sox rebuild, how tough it is to keep their best prospects in the minors and why Jose Abreu is so important for his young team?

Listen to the full episode at this link or in the embedded player below:

Latest White Sox Talk

The White Sox three outfield prospects are creating a lot of buzz at spring training.

On this edition of the podcast, Micker Adolfo tells Chuck Garfien about a conversation they all had about one day becoming the starting outfield for the White Sox. Adolfo talks about his longtime friendship with Eloy Jimenez, his impressions of Luis Robert, Luis Basabe and the White Sox future.

But first, it's a conversation with MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez who has great insight on many of the White Sox players: Jimenez, Robert, Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu. He tells an amazing story about why Jimenez decided to sign with the Cubs when he was a teenager, how much Abreu is revered in Cuba and much more.

Listen to the full episode at this link (iOS users can go here) or in the embedded player below. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.